Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-04-01

Local circulation in Augusta, Rockbridge, Rock
ngham. Allegheny, Highland and Bath counties.
Gives general and local news: stories and mis-
ellany reliable commercial repo.--.
H. G. TINsLEY,
A. s. MORTON.
FRIDAY MORNING. APRIL. 1, 1887.
That plan is a novel and certainly an origi-
nal continuance by which the Democratic ma
jority in Botetourt county has been reduced
from 800 to less than 100. Itprovides that
sealed ballot boxes shall be taken around to
the residence of each Democratic voter in the
county by sworn employees of the Committee
to receive the ballots of the voters, indicating
their choice among the competing candidates.
It is kind of inquisitorial proceeding to
compel men to vote who may not desire to
take part in the contest, or who probably may
have concluded to wait until the day of cleo
ton to determine their choice. 1t is not
plan to commend itself to the Independent,
manly men of Augusta county. They know
that the law of the State provides way to
reach election results, and outside of that
they do not care to go.-Valsey Viryiaiae.
We copy the above as a remarkable in
stance of an intensely Republican newspa-
per fercely opposing a primary plan which
in given county has reduced a Democratic
majority from 800 to 100. Our neighbor
has cut some queer capers on political
questions, but We-don't recollect ever
20 seen it indignant before at party
aIy to decrease the vote of the
mia Democracy, either in State or
county. Can it be that the admirable ad-
min1stration Cleveland is giving the coun-
try is giving the Virginian warm side to
the party, and that in 1888 we shall hear
it rallying the boys for Cleveland and
Lee 1t may, however, be possible that
we are misconstruing our neighbor, and
that, as a matter Of fact, the Botetourt
ssi is. ;, s expected to reduce the Demo-
cratlc majority in Augusta, and that the
brave, man sssmen" CT the Repu5lican
party x 20 county are disheartened, dis
appointed and mad as the deuce over
its adoption. It is we'll known that we
and many other Democrats did noG favor
a primary, but we must all admit that
when the County Committee adopted the
Botetourt plan they hit the nail on the
head and disarmed those opposed to party
action, of nearly every one of their objec-
tions. With ballot box carried around
to Democrats by an honest Democrat, no
man who would rather have Democrats
than Republicans to fill the county Offices
can have the slightest excuse for not
voting. There is no taking poor man
away from a days work-a loss that
nobody makes up to hlm-no crowding
Of candidates friends around precincts to
work up their man at the expense of
others, and in short nothing to obstruct
q free and convenient expression of the
will of the Democratic voters. But the
Yirginian sees its old enemy the ring"
that has downed its friends so often, and
thus announces the discovery:
1t is the expiring gasp of the Ring, howev-
er, and probably the best they could do. But
the people will not manifest the weakness and
the want of seH-respect, that a seryile COM
pliance with the orders of the Committee
would imply. 1t is good time to settle old
scores with the Ring, by refusing to recog-
nize this extraordinary expedient, and for the
voters to reserve to themselves the right to
express their choice under the forms of law
and when the appointed time comes to de-
posit ballot that will Fhave legal effect and
significance.
AS 1.-THE people" in this instance means
the Democratic majority in this county.
which has the power to make or unmake
Office seekers when it is so minded, we
take it that this disinterested advice from
q Republican paper will not be Needed
The ''servile compliance on this occasion
is about the servility required to eat a
wholesome dinner when it is sent to the
house on waiter. AS for the ''Ring':
the Democrats of Augusta know it well
the abushI hoping
ss, "a as it was
{. Ufu days when the Revenue
ofice poured out Republican workers into
the election field every voting day, and
when the slate was made up by the bosses
and all the good places allotted to two
families. No; those halcyon days are over,
and the people don't express their prefer
ence through the United States Revenue
officials, nor submit their primaries
TO them for arrangement and guild
ance. The coming primary of the Demo.
cratic party in Augusta will be the first at
which voter could deposit his ballot
without cost of time or trouble, and we
shall expect to see a large vote out. The
list of candidates announced up to this
date can furnish enough good sound Dem
ocrats to officer half dozen counties, and
10 man voting for county or district Off
GERS, will have any trouble in picking out
good men, well qualified for the duties he
wishes entrusted TO them.
We confess we don't like the fibre Of the
response to the creditors telegram, adopt.
ed by the legislature. There seems to be
oyer-much Of sickness about its instruc-
%bo Nfofa3 So oov, bo in